Ok, preseason is officially over! It’s time for the real fun to begin as the Gunners prepare to defend their 2025/2026 Premier League title!

But first, the FS Community Shield match at the Wales Principality Stadium in Cardiff is on tap v Manchester City.

The Gunners haven’t had a preseason with the entire team in training because the World Cup players have slowly been coming back in, however, that will be no excuse on Sunday in front of a packed Cardiff stadium crowd expecting to see Arsenal in top form.

With that said, here’s my very wild guess at Sunday’s starting XI for the Gunners…

[4-3-3]

Tzolis, Gyokeres, Madueke

Merino, Odegaard, Guimaraes

Calafiori, Mosquera, Gabriel, White

Raya

Predicted final score: 2-2 (Arsenal wins the penalty shoot-out)

COYG!

Gunner1953

Are you ready? Here goes…

1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester City
4. Chelsea
5. Manchester United
6. Aston Villa
7. Bournemouth
8. Sunderland
9. Brighton and Hove Albion
10. Brentford
11. Tottenham Hotspur
12. Fulham
13. Crystal Palace
14. Newcastle United
15. Everton
16. Leeds United
17. Coventry City
18. Nottingham Forest
19. Ipswich Town
20. Hull City

Thoughts?

Cheers!

Gunner1953

On Sunday, August 23rd, the club will host French side Paris FC.

Then, on Wednesday, August 26th, the women face WSL newcomer Charlton Athletic.

Both matches will be played at Arsenal’s Mangata Developments Stadium (Meadow Park).

The squad is currently training in Spain.

The team has made five new signings this summer, including Georgia Stenway, Selina Cerci, Ewae Pajor, Khadiija Shaw and Geraldine Reuteler.

Leaving the club were Katie McCabe and Beth Mead, who left for Chelsea and Manchester City, respectively.

COYG!

Gunner1953

Let’s suppose this is happening, how could the Gunners opening day line-up look with Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and maybe even Vini Junior added to Mikel Arteta’s line-up?

This is still fantasy land, but what the heck…

[3-4-4]

Tzolis, Vini Junior or Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard or Havertz, Guimaraes

Califiori or Hincapie, Mosquera or Hincapie, Gabriel, Timber or White

Raya

COYG!

Gunner1953

So, what have I missed recently?

In no particular order here are a few of the top stories Yankee Gooner needs to catch-up on…

Spain wins the World Cup against a very poor and uninspired Argentina side in the tournament’s final match. I saw the game from the top deck of a large ocean liner floating in the North Sea, surrounded by a lot of Spain supporters.

Speaking of the World Cup, congrats to Martin Odegaard for a very impressive performance. The Arsenal captain appears to have regained his form very nicely, and after some rest, he should be ready to go in top form for the coming season.

There was some bad news, too. William Saliba will miss an extended start to the 2026/2027 campaign with a back injury. No surgery is required but our world class defender will have to take some time away to properly heal before returning to the pitch this season.

Leandro Trossard is no longer a Gunner. The Belgian is now a member of Besiktas in Turkey’s top league. Personally, I would have sold Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Trossard, but then again, I don’t sign the checks.

Piero Hincapie has signed a permanent contract with the Gunners after the Ecuadorian’s terrific on-loan campaign in north London last season. This is a great move for Arsenal.

Everyone thought Morgan Rogers would be an easy deal for the Arsenal front office to maneuver, however, the Aston Villa star chose instead to sign with Chelsea. That’s too bad for Rogers. Bad decision my man.

Arsenal signed Greek midfielder/winger Chistos Tzolis from Club Brugge. The 24-year-old scored 33 goals during his 74 appearances playing for the Belgian club. Tzolis replaces the departing Trossard on the left side of the Arsenal offensive front line.

Illan Meslier has also signed this summer with the Gunners. The French goalkeeper will probably become Arsenal’s #2 once Kepa leaves the club during the transfer window. Meslier comes to north London from Leeds United.

Now on to the current headlines…

Vinicius Junior is being linked to Arsenal for a reported contract over $228-million (USD) per season. The superstar’s contract at Real Madrid has not been renewed, but reports are surfacing that Vini Junior would like consider a move to the Gunners.

Arsenal is also in hot pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. What an addition he would be to Mikel Arteta’s midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Also, key names on the Arsenal transfer radar include defenders John Stones and Ezri Konsa, along with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

The Arsenal Women have been very busy this window signing five new players, including Georgia Stanway (midfielder), Selina Cerci (striker), Geraldine Reuteler (midfielder), Ona Batlle (defender) and Lisa Baum (forward). Gone are Katie McCabe and Beth Mead.

Now it’s time for everyone to get back to work, including me!

COYG!

Gunner1953

Date

Game

Score

W-D-L

Record

Competition

8/5

Friendly

8/16

Community Shield

8/21

PL

8/20

PL

PL

9/5

PL

9/12

PL

9/19

PL

10/10

PL

10/17

PL

10/24

PL

10/31

PL

11/7

PL

11/14

PL

11/21

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12/2

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12/5

PL

12/12

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12/19

PL

12/26

PL

12/30

PL

1/2

PL

1/6

PL

1/16

PL

1/23

PL

1/30

PL

2/6

PL

2/10

PL

2/20

PL

2/27

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3/3

PL

3/13

PL

3/20

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4/10

PL

4/17

PL

4/24

PL

5/1

PL

5/8

PL

5/15

PL

5/23

PL

5/30

PL